Shrimp
Fish
Crab &
Plants
Foods
Snails5 Crystal Black Shrimp
Add a touch of elegance to your tank with the selectively bred Crystal Black Shrimp, a black variant of the Bee Shrimp, becoming popular worldwide. Originally from Japan, they live 1-2 years, grow to 0.75-1.25 inches, and are available for purchase at 0.75-0.95 inches. A unique and beautiful addition to any aquarium. They are also great algae eaters and will keep your tank clean.
- Acclimating Shrimp
- Grading Crystal Red Shrimp
- Crystal black shrimp (Caridina cf. cantonensis) | Care & info
Crystal Black Shrimp
The Crystal Black Shrimp is the selectively bred Black color variant of the Bee Shrimp. Originally selectively bred in Japan for its Black coloration the Crystal Black Shrimp is becoming one of the most popular Dwarf Shrimp across the globe.
Crystal Black Shrimp Behavior
Crystal Black Shrimp are non-aggressive and are quite active. In an aquarium that has no predators, Crystal Black Shrimp will often be observed grazing on algae on aquarium plants, decorations, and on the substrate. When fed, the shrimp will often form large groups that are quite striking in appearance.
Crystal Black Shrimp Care
Crystal Black Shrimp are a little more demanding than many other Dwarf Shrimp, and have the same care requirements as the wild type of this species, the Bee Shrimp. The water is required to be soft and slightly acidic for the Crystal Black Shrimp to be happy. They also prefer a little less than tropical temperatures. As with all aquarium shrimp, the aquarium should be well established and parameters should be kept stable. The higher grade Crystal Black Shrimp are more sensitive to nitrates than many other Dwarf Shrimp so care must be taken to ensure high quality water.
You can find the full Crystal Black Shrimp care sheet in the link.
Buying Crystal Black Shrimp
As with all aquatic invertebrates, it is important to make sure copper does not get into the aquarium. Copper is toxic to all Dwarf Shrimp. Many medications contain elevated levels of copper, so it is recommended not to medicate an aquarium with Dwarf Shrimp in it.
Scientific Name: Caridina cf. cantonensis var. 'Crystal Black'
Other Scientific Names: none
Common Name: Crystal black shrimp, (black) bee shrimp, CBS
Other Common Name: Bee Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp, CRS
Temperament: Peaceful
Breeding: Intermediate
Care Level: Intermediate
Origin: South East Asia
Found in Wild: No
Life Span: 1-2 Years
Gestation Period: 30 Days
Full Grown Size: 0.75"-1.25"
Approximate Purchase Size: 0.75"-0.95"
General Water Parameters:
pH Range: 5.8-7.4
Temperature Range: 62-76 °F
GH Range: 4-6
KH Range: 0-4
TDS Range: 100-200
The Shrimp Farm’s Water Parameters:
pH Range: 6.5-6.8
Temperature Range: 68-72 °F
GH Range: 4
KH Range: 0
TDS Range: 92–120
Currently Being Fed: Ebita Breed - Quarto 2
How big do Crystal Black Shrimp get?
The females can reach up to around 1.6"/4 cm, while the males stay a bit smaller.
How many Crystal Black Shrimp can I keep per gallon?
You can keep an almost infinite amount of Crystal Black shrimp per gallon of aquarium water volume as long as you make sure to start with at least a 5-gallon tank. Stay on top of maintenance, and the colony should balance itself.
How long do Crystal Black Shrimp live?
Crystal Black shrimp's lifespan strongly depends on factors like water quality, diet, and temperature. In the right conditions, they can make it at least a year, even up to two.
How fast do Crystal Black Shrimp grow?
Pretty darn quickly! In the right conditions, they are able to grow from freshly hatched fry to breeding adults in 2-2.5 months.
Is Crystal Black Shrimp easy to Breed?
If optimal care requirements are met, the Crystal Black Shrimp is fairly easy to breed. It can be difficult to determine the sex of a Crystal Black Shrimp. The males are slightly smaller and have shorter, thinner tail sections. The females are larger with a longer and wider tail section. In our shop, we sell great Breeding Aids for you to help the breeding process go easier and faster.
Will different shrimp species breed with each other?
Yes, most Neocaridina species will breed with other Neocaridina species, and many Caridina species will breed with other Caridina species. Neocaridina species will not breed with Caridina species. It is not recommended to keep any species that may interbreed with each other. Check out our dwarf shrimp compatibility chart to see what shrimp will not interbreed with Crystal Black Shrimp.
Why is my Crystal Black Shrimp losing color?
Crystal Black shrimp can fade if the water quality is off - have you done a water test yet? You can get great water quality test kits in our shop. It can also be related to substrate color. It's often recommended to keep the colorful species on a darker substrate, or they may fade to help them blend in.
How often do Crystal Black Shrimp molt?
Depends on their age! Crystal Black shrimp grow very quickly. This also means they molt a lot (at least every few days at first) until they reach their adult size, after which they slow down to about once a month.
What is the diet of Crystal Black Shrimp?
Crystal Black Shrimp are omnivores and share the same diet that most Dwarf Shrimp enjoy. They will eat just about anything in an aquarium, that is edible. Crystal Black Shrimp will eat the algae that naturally occurs in aquariums. Sinking pellets and blanched (boiled until soft) vegetables make good foods for dwarf shrimp, as well. But Crystal Black will oftentimes need supplemental feedings. Aquarium foods intended for bottom feeders and aquatic invertebrates are readily accepted, as are blanched vegetables (boiled until soft). You can find wide veracity of good shrimp foods in our shop. The Crystal Black Shrimp you order are currently eating Ebita Breed - Quarto 2
What type of filter should I use?
A sponge filter is the best filter for a shrimp-only aquarium. Another good option is a corner box filter. Most power filters will suck smaller shrimp into the filter and kill them, so they are not recommended. In our shop, you can find a nice selection of filters that are safe for shrimps.
What are the best plants for Crystal Black Shrimp?
Any aquarium plants are great if you'd like to keep Crystal Black shrimp! They love to hide in and forage on the leaves. A few personal favorites are java moss, floating plants, and hair grass (Eleocharis acicularis). All the plants we sell are great for Crystal Black Shrimp. You can find out more about Freshwater aquarium plants here.
What is the best substrate for Crystal Black Shrimp?
Crystal Black shrimp can lose their color if kept on a light substrate. After all, they're prey animals, so they like to blend in as a means to avoid predators. Your best bet is to go for a dark substrate; the type doesn't matter much for your shrimp. In fact, they even do fine with no substrate at all.
What are the best tank mates for Crystal Black Shrimp?
Crystal Black shrimp, like other dwarf shrimp, are very peaceful and vulnerable creatures. They will never harm any tankmates but will easily fall prey to hungry fish. It might be a good idea to set up a single-species aquarium. Still, peaceful inverts like other shrimp and small snails are always a possibility. You can check out the dwarf shrimp compatibility chart to see what shrimp will be a great match for the Crystal Black Shrimp.
Aquarists who don't mind losing some of their stock can combine them with a number of peaceful species, including the popular Corydoras and Otocinclus catfish, small schooling fish, and more. Learn more about The Best Types Of Fish For Your Shrimp Aquarium here. The shrimp should usually breed quickly enough to sustain the population despite regular casualties, provided there are enough hiding places. Not enough hiding places for your shrimp? We have some great hiding decorations in our shop.
What is the best way to Acclimate my new Crystal Black Shrimp?
When adding new shrimp into your established already existing tank, it is important to take the proper steps in introducing and acclimating them into their new home. The whole process is extremely stressful for the shrimp. Acclimation is important for shrimp as it allows them time to adjust to the temperature and parameters of their new environment. By doing this correctly, you will reduce the chances of shock or death of your new shrimps. You can find the step-by-step process of acclimating shrimp here.
Is your question not listed above?
If you don't see the answer to your question, give us a quick email, and we will get back to you asap.
